Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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545. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit meet their obligations for reasonable accommodation under the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015. [23041/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Employment Equality Acts 1998 to 2015 require employers to take appropriate measures, where needed in a particular case, to enable a person with a disability:

• to have access to employment,
• to participate or advance in employment,
• to undergo training,

My Department has a Disability Liaison Officer who fosters awareness of equality and disability issues among staff and provides support, advice and guidance to staff and managers in ensuring staff with a disability have equal opportunities throughout their career in my Department. The Disability Liaison Officer also facilitates reasonable accommodations as appropriate for employees with disabilities.

As provided for in the Code of Practice for the Employment of People with a Disability in the Irish Civil Service (the Code), requests for reasonable accommodations are applied for on a workplace accommodations form (Appendix D of the Code). Part two of these forms should be completed by a medical specialist.

In consultation with local management, where appropriate, all requests are considered in the context of supporting the person concerned, but also in the context of what is reasonable and, in accordance with the legislation, will not place a disproportionate burden on my Department.

Examples of reasonable accommodations regularly provided by my Department include specialised chairs and other office furniture, assistive technology required by visually impaired, deaf or dyslexic employees and local arrangements agreed with line managers of staff with disabilities such as reduced working hours.

As regards the State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue to the Deputy directly.